NIOSH releases updated carcinogen policy

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently released a draft of a revised carcinogen policy. Titled “Update of NIOSH Carcinogen Classification and Target Risk Level Policy for Chemical Hazards in the Workplace,” this document was developed in response to stakeholder feedback and scientific advances that have taken place since the original policy was written.

“Our understanding of the science of cancer and our ability to measure potential exposures in the workplace have advanced a great deal since our original policy from 1978,” explained NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. “This revised policy reflects an adaptation to this scientific progress.”

The goal of the proposed policy is to classify carcinogens more efficiently by using classifications from organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). NIOSH expects these changes will provide more relevant information on carcinogen exposure to improve occupational safety and health.